Madonna Lights Up the Super Bowl

Eli Manning and Tom Brady may know their way around the football field, but Sunday night, New England Patriots and New York Giants fans could take a break from taking sides to root for the queen of the (ever intricate) stage: Go Madonna!

The Super Bowl halftime show kicked off with a royal welcome as an army of gladiators escorted the veteran performer onto Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Stadium stage. With a diamond-studded gold crown, Madonna, 53, launched into her hit "Vogue" as the stage flashed covers of the iconic fashion magazine.

Next on the set list: her 2000 dance jam "Music." Joining her on the stage were the guys behind LMFAO – Stefan (Redfoo) and Skyler (SkyBlu) Gordy – who teamed with Madonna to sing samples from their hits, "Party Rock Anthem" and "Sexy and I Know It."

With a stage that was as flashy and glittering as her dance moves, Madonna then performed her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin," with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. – in full-on cheerleading uniforms – who are also featured on the song. (M.I.A. also gave the finger during her solo, an act that eluded the NBC censors.)

But the finale of the 12-minute performance was classic Madonna. With a hand from Cee Lo Green, she swapped her gladiator queen assemble for a glittering black robe to sing her 1989 hit, "Like a Prayer" (which she opened with samplings of "Open Your Heart" and "Express Yourself.").

Backed by a gospel choir, the fiery performance ended with a true sizzle: The stage burst into a cloud of smoke as the singer belted out the final note out of sight.

The final message of the show – "World Peace" – was illuminated on the stage.

But the entertainment started earlier in the night as Blake Shelton and wife Miranda Lambert performed a twangy duet of "America the Beautiful." And Kelly Clarkson powered through a rousing version of the "Star-Spangled Banner" before kickoff. (Watch it below.)

What did you think of all the performers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.